Oral immunotherapy unit dose dispensing systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Systems and containers for organizing and administering an oral immunotherapy regimen to a patient are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed systems for efficiently and safely identifying pre-packaged dose units to administer to a patient undergoing oral immunotherapy. Further aspects of the present technology are directed to reducing medical staff dosing errors when administering an oral immunotherapy regimen. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of dosage containers, wherein each dosage container includes dosage identification characteristics corresponding to dosage of an oral immunotherapy composition. Further aspects of the present technology are directed to methods of dispensing an oral immunotherapy composition to a patient in a manner that mitigates the risk of errors in oral immunotherapy dose administration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/711,336, filed on Jul. 27, 2018; which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to systems and system components fordispensing dose units for oral immunotherapy treatments, as well asassociated methods of use.

BACKGROUND

Food allergies are caused, in most cases, by an immunological reactionto proteins in the food. In the early years of life, the immune systemis still developing and may fail to develop tolerance to dietaryantigens (this may also be described as insufficient induction of oraltolerance). The result is that the baby or child mounts an exaggeratedimmune response to the dietary protein and develops an allergic responseto it. The most common food allergies in children are peanuts, treenuts, milk and eggs. Specific immunotherapy for food allergy, includingpeanut allergy among others, in the forms of oral immunotherapy (OIT)and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been studied in recent years andhas demonstrated encouraging safety and efficacy results in earlyclinical trials, including beneficial immunologic changes. OIT has shownevidence for inducing desensitization in most subjects with immunologicchanges over time indicating progression toward clinical tolerance.

Compositions (e.g., formulations) comprising offending allergens (e.g.,proteins, protein epitopes) can be prepared for administration intailored regimens for OIT. Subjects treated with such compositions mayexhibit, over time, a decreased anaphylactic reaction, a decreasedhumoral response and/or T cell response, a decreased IgE response and/ora decreased mast cell response associated with exposure to an offendingallergen following treatment with an OIT regimen. In certain scenarios,a subject treated with such compositions in an OIT regimen may bedesensitized to the offending allergen (e.g., peanuts, milk, egg, treenuts, etc.) and may be better able to withstand an oral food challengefollowing treatment.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a system for administering an oralimmunotherapy regimen to a patient includes a plurality of dosagecontainers comprising a plurality of detached single dose packagescomprising the same dosage of an oral immunotherapy composition, whereinthe single dose packages in different dosage containers comprisedifferent dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition, and wherein thedosage containers comprises a dosage identifier that associates thedosage container with the dosage of oral immunotherapy compositioncontained by the single dose packages contained in the dosage container;and a housing having an internal cavity that retains the plurality ofdosage containers.

In any of these embodiments, the single dose packages may include thedosage identifier.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may be a dosage levelof the oral immunotherapy composition.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may includecolor-coding or shade-coding, and wherein each dosage is associated witha different color or shading.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may include numericcoding, and wherein the numeric coding indicates an order in which thedosage levels increase or decrease.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may include thedosage.

In any of these embodiments, the oral immunotherapy composition may be apowder.

In any of these embodiments, the plurality of single dose packages mayinclude one or more capsules or tablets comprising the oralimmunotherapy composition.

In any of these embodiments, the one or more capsules or tablets may bevisible without opening the single dose package.

In any of these embodiments, the one or more capsules or tablets may bearranged in a configuration associated with the dosage identifier forthe dosage container.

In any of these embodiments, the system may further include a dosageconfiguration guide that associates the configuration to the dosageidentifier.

In any of these embodiments, dosage containers may include a pluralityof supports spaced apart along a length of an inner wall of the dosagecontainer, and wherein the dosage containers are configured to hold asingle dose package in a substantially vertical orientation between thesupports.

In any of these embodiments, the system may further include an initialescalation module containing a plurality of initial escalation folioscomprising a plurality of dose units in increasing dosage levels.

In any of these embodiments, the system may further include amaintenance dosage container containing a plurality of maintenance doseunits having the same dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage containers may be configured tobe refilled with single dose packages.

In any of these embodiments, each dosage container may be configured tobe individually removed from the housing and replaced with a new dosagecontainer.

In any of these embodiments, the system may include 3, 4, 5, or 6 ormore different dosage containers.

In any of these embodiments, the system may include between 3 and about100 different dosage containers.

In any of these embodiments, the oral immunotherapy composition mayinclude a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy, or shellfish composition.

In any of these embodiments, the system may further include an initialescalation folio comprising a series of escalating dose units comprisingthe oral immunotherapy composition.

In any of these embodiments, the series of dose units may include atleast one dose unit with a dosage of the oral immunotherapy compositionthat is lower than the lowest dosage of the single dose packages in anyof the dosage containers.

In any of these embodiments, the escalating dose units may be arrangedin different configurations to identify different dosages.

In any of these embodiments, the initial escalation folio may becontained within the housing.

In any of these embodiments, the housing may be configured to contain aplurality of initial escalation folios in a compartment of the housing.

In any of these embodiments, the system may further include a dosagefolio that includes a dosage identifier that associates the dosage folioto a dosage container within the plurality of dosage containers, and aplurality of daily dose units comprising the oral immunotherapycomposition associated with the dosage identifier.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage folio may include a patient logcomprising a space identified for recording a date of administration ofa daily dose unit.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage folio may include a patient logcomprising a space identified for recording a reactive symptom followingingestion of the daily dose unit.

In any of these embodiments, the system may include a plurality ofdosage folios comprising different dosage identifiers, wherein thedosage folios comprise a plurality of daily dose units that correspondwith the dosage identifier of the dosage folio.

According to some embodiments, a dosage folio includes a plurality ofdaily dose units comprising an oral immunotherapy composition, whereineach daily dose unit is independently openable and comprises a pluralityof capsules or tablets; and a dosage identifier associated with thedosage of the daily dose units.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage folio may include a patient log,wherein the patient log comprises a space identified for recording adate of administration of a daily dose unit.

In any of these embodiments, the patient log may include a spaceidentified for recording a reactive symptoms following ingestion of thedaily dose unit.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage folio may include pictorialinstructions for administering the oral immunotherapy composition.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may be a dosage levelof the oral immunotherapy composition.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may include a colorcode or a shade code.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may include a numericcode.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage identifier may include thedosage of the daily dose units.

In any of these embodiments, the oral immunotherapy composition may be apowder.

In any of these embodiments, the daily dose units may be arranged in agrid pattern and a grid pattern location associated with a first daylacks a daily dose unit.

In any of these embodiments, the capsules or tablets may be arranged ina configuration associated with the dosage identifier for the folio.

In any of these embodiments, the oral immunotherapy composition mayinclude a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy, or shellfish composition.

In any of these embodiments, the dosage folio may include about 7 toabout 35 daily dose units.

According to some embodiments, a method of dispensing a selected dosageof an oral immunotherapy composition to a patient includes identifying adosage container associated with a selected dosage of the oralimmunotherapy composition using a dosage identifier on the dosagecontainer, wherein the dosage container is identified from a pluralityof different dosage containers comprising different dosage identifiersassociated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition;removing a single dose package comprising the selected amount of theoral immunotherapy composition from the identified dosage container; anddispensing the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition tothe patient.

According to some embodiments, a method of retrieving a single dosepackage comprising a selected dosage of an oral immunotherapycomposition includes identifying a dosage container associated with theselected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition using a dosageidentifier on the dosage container, wherein the dosage container isidentified from a plurality of different dosage containers comprisingdifferent dosage identifiers associated with different dosages of theoral immunotherapy composition; and removing the single dose packagecomprising the selected amount of the oral immunotherapy compositionfrom the identified dosage container.

According to some embodiments, a method of retrieving a single dosepackage comprising a selected dosage of an oral immunotherapycomposition includes removing the single dose package comprising theselected amount of the oral immunotherapy composition from an identifieddosage container, wherein the identified dosage container is identifiedusing a dosage identifier on the dosage container that is associatedwith the selected dosage, and wherein the dosage container is identifiedfrom a plurality of different dosage containers comprising differentdosage identifiers associated with different dosages of the oralimmunotherapy composition.

According to some embodiments, a method of dispensing a selected dosageof an oral immunotherapy composition to a patient includes removing thesingle dose package comprising the selected amount of the oralimmunotherapy composition from an identified dosage container, whereinthe identified dosage container is identified using a dosage identifieron the dosage container that is associated with the selected dosage, andwherein the dosage container is identified from a plurality of differentdosage containers comprising different dosage identifiers associatedwith different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition; anddispensing the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition tothe patient.

According to some embodiments, a method of treating an allergy in apatient, includes identifying a dosage container associated with aselected dosage of an oral immunotherapy composition using a dosageidentifier on the dosage container, wherein the dosage container isidentified from a plurality of different dosage containers comprisingdifferent dosage identifiers associated with different dosages of theoral immunotherapy composition; removing a single dose packagecomprising the selected amount of the oral immunotherapy compositionfrom the identified dosage container; and administering the selecteddosage of the oral immunotherapy composition to the patient.

According to some embodiments, a method of treating an allergy in apatient includes removing a single dose package comprising a selectedamount of the oral immunotherapy composition from an identified dosagecontainer, wherein the identified dosage container is identified using adosage identifier on the dosage container that is associated with theselected dosage, and wherein the dosage container is identified from aplurality of different dosage containers comprising different dosageidentifiers associated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapycomposition; and administering the selected dosage of the oralimmunotherapy composition to the patient.

In any of the above embodiments, the allergy may be a food allergy.

In any of the above embodiments, the plurality of dosage containers maybe contained within a housing.

In any of the above embodiments, the oral immunotherapy composition mayinclude a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy, or shellfish composition.

Any of the above methods may be performed using any of the abovesystems.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may be performed in amedical clinic.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may further includerestocking the identified dosage container with single dose packagescomprising an oral immunotherapy composition in the same amount as theremoved single dose package.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may include replacing theidentified dosage container with a new dosage container comprising thesame dosage identification characteristic, wherein the new dosagecontainer comprises a plurality of single dose packages.

In any of the above embodiments, the dosage identifier may include acolor code, a shade code, or a number code associated with the selecteddosage, and wherein identifying the dosage container comprisesidentifying the dosage container having the color code, the shade code,or the number code associated with the selected dosage.

In any of the above embodiments, identifying the dosage container mayinclude using a dosage container position guide comprising the dosageidentifier.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may further includeselecting the dosage of oral immunotherapy for the patient.

In any of the above embodiments, the dosage of oral immunotherapy may beselected using a dosage identifier on a dosage folio previously providedto the patient.

In any of the above embodiments, the dosage of oral immunotherapy may beselected based on a tolerability of a previously administered dose bythe patient.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may include dispensing aseries of escalating dose units comprising the oral immunotherapycomposition.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may include administeringthe series of escalating dose units to the patient.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may include monitoring thepatient for a period of time for a reactive symptom following ingestionof a first escalating dose unit prior to dispensing or administering asecond escalating dose unit.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may include monitoring thepatient for a period of time for a reactive symptom following ingestionof each escalating dose unit.

In any of the above embodiments, the dosage of oral immunotherapy may beselected based on a dosage of the escalating dose unit ingested prior todetection of a reactive symptom.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may include dispensing adosage folio to the patient for daily self-administration, wherein thedosage folio comprises a plurality of daily dose units comprising theselected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition.

In any of the above embodiments, the method may include monitoring thepatient for a period of time for a reactive symptom following dispensingor administering the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapycomposition to the patient.

In any of the above embodiments, the patient may be a human.

In any of the above embodiments, administering the selected dosage mayinclude mixing the oral immunotherapy composition with food.

In any of the above embodiments, one or more capsules or tabletscontaining the oral immunotherapy composition may be opened prior tomixing the oral immunotherapy composition with food.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method of conducting an oralimmunotherapy regimen on a subject in need thereof in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a unit dose dispensing systemconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a dosage container in a closedconfiguration in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the dosage container of FIG. 3Ain an open configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the dosage container of FIG. 3Aalong line A-A in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the dosage container of FIG. 3Balong line A-A in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate various steps in the dispensing of the singledose package of FIGS. 4A-4B from the dosage container in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are front perspective views of dosage folios forpatient use outside the clinical setting in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 6A is a top view of a dosage folio in a partially openconfiguration in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the dosage folio of FIG. 6A in a fully-openconfiguration in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIGS. 7A-7E are side views of a dosage folio illustrating various stepsin transitioning the dosage folio from a closed configuration (FIG. 7A)to a fully open configuration (FIG. 7E) in accordance with an embodimentof the present technology.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front perspective views of a maintenance dosagecontainer in a closed configuration and an open configuration,respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a unit dose dispensing system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present technology.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front perspective views of an initial escalationdosage module and an initial escalation folio in accordance withembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 10C is a front view of the initial escalation folio of FIG. 8B inan open configuration and in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a method of providing an oralimmunotherapy regimen to a patient in a clinical setting in accordancewith an aspect of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Oral immunotherapy dosing regimens are both complex and highly tailoredto an individual patient response over time. Generally, such regimensinvolve starting the patient at very low allergen dosage levels andincreasing the allergen dosage slowly over time. During therapy, if apatient is not tolerating a dosage level well, the attending physicianmay either decrease the dosage or keep it level over a period of timebefore again increasing the dosage level. Thus, the oral immunotherapydosing regimen is based largely on individual response, and can behighly variable. Furthermore, precise dosing of the oral immunotherapydrug in people with serious food allergy is not only important forefficacy, but critical for patient safety. In view of dosing complexityand the possibility, as well as the seriousness, of dosing errors,measures are needed to mitigate the risk of errors.

The system described herein facilitates dispensing of oral immunotherapydoses by providing a convenient platform for organizing and identifyingdosages. The system includes (a) a plurality of dosage containers and(b) a housing having an internal cavity that retains the plurality ofdosage containers. Each dosage container contains a plurality ofdetached single dose packages comprising an identical dosage of an oralimmunotherapy composition. Additionally, the single dose packages indifferent dosage containers have different dosages of the oralimmunotherapy composition. To aid the user in identifying the correctdosage of the oral immunotherapy composition, each dosage containercomprises a dosage identification characteristic that associates thedosage container with the dosage of oral immunotherapy compositioncontained by the single dose packages contained by the dosage container.

A user (such as a doctor, nurse, or other clinician) can identify adosage container corresponding to a selected dosage of the oralimmunotherapy by using the dosage identification characteristic presenton the dosage container. As further described herein, it is importantthat the correct dosage is dispensed to the patient to avoid dangerousadverse reactions. The user can remove a single dose package from theidentified dosage container. If desired, the user can verify that thesingle dose package is correct by comparing the dosage identificationcharacteristic present on the single dose package to the dosageidentification characteristic present on the dosage container.

I. Definitions

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include theplural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “dosage identification characteristic” refers to any amount,number, letter, symbol, color, shading or other characteristic that isuniquely associated with a dosage of an oral immunotherapy composition.

The term “dosage level” describes any dosage identificationcharacteristic other than a measured amount of the oral immunotherapy oran active ingredient in the oral immunotherapy composition that isassociated with a particular dosage of an oral immunotherapycomposition.

The term “subject” and “patient” are interchangeably used herein todescribe a mammal, such as a human, with an allergy to a substance.

It is understood that aspects and variations of the invention describedherein include “consisting” and/or “consisting essentially of” aspectsand variations.

Where a range of values is provided, it is to be understood that eachintervening value between the upper and lower limit of that range, andany other stated or intervening value in that stated range, isencompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. Where the statedrange includes upper or lower limits, ranges excluding either of thoseincluded limits are also included in the present disclosure.

It is to be understood that one, some or all of the properties of thevarious embodiments described herein may be combined to form otherembodiments of the present invention. Reference throughout thisspecification to “one example,” “an example,” “one embodiment,” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the example is included inat least one example of the present technology. Thus, the occurrences ofthe phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” “one embodiment,” or “anembodiment” in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same example. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, routines, stages, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples of thetechnology. The headings provided herein are for convenience only andare not intended to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of thetechnology. For ease of reference, throughout this disclosure identicalreference numbers are used to identify similar or analogous componentsor features, but the use of the same reference number does not implythat the parts should be construed to be identical. Indeed, in manyexamples described herein, the identically numbered parts are distinctin structure and/or function.

II. Oral Immunotherapy Treatment Regimens

Many OIT regimens include a series of dose administration phases:initial day escalation, interval escalation dosing, and maintenance.Other phases and/or patient-specific tailoring of the regimen are alsocontemplated.

Initial day escalation typically occurs in a clinical setting and OITdose administration and medical condition/symptom monitoring isfacilitated by an attending physician or medical staff (e.g., nurse,physician's assistant, other permitted medical personnel, etc.). Doseescalation can begin on day 1 with administering a first dose (e.g., alowest dose level of a composition comprising the offending antigen).Subsequently, the patient is monitored for reactive symptoms while beingadministered graduated doses at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 10minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, etc.) up to amaximum initial day dosage level (if tolerated). Accordingly, at the endof the initial day escalation phase, the subject either will havetolerated the maximum initial day dosage level (e.g., without exhibitingdisqualifying symptoms), the subject will have tolerated a sub-maximumor intermediate dosage level (e.g., prior to exhibiting disqualifyingsymptoms). The specific dosage level achieved by the subject at thetermination of the initial day escalation phase is accepted as the“desensitization” dose for further escalation.

The interval escalation dosing phase or build-up phase can occurprimarily in the subject's home with intermittent treatment in theclinical setting. The build-up phase is designed to continually increasethe desensitization dose of a particular subject over weeks and monthsto a maximum desensitization dose of an oral immunotherapy composition.Dosage level increases can occur in predetermined intervals (e.g., every2 weeks) in the clinical setting (e.g., under observation), while thenewly achieved up-dose level is maintained on a daily basis at home bythe patient during the intervening interval period (e.g., 2 weeks). In aparticular example, a subject having completed the initial doseescalation phase and having achieved a maximum initial day dosage level(e.g., the subject's desensitization dose), can be provided enough dailydosages to facilitate daily administration of the subject'sdesensitization dose every day for day 2 through day 14 of a two weekinterval period. The subject can then be administered the next dosagelevel in the clinical setting to begin a subsequent up-dosing interval.Ideally, the build-up phase continues until the subject achieves adesired daily desensitization dose (e.g., a dose sufficient to withstandan oral food challenge).

Following the build-up phase of an OIT regimen, the subject proceeds toa maintenance phase in which the subject continues to take the maximumachieved daily dose at home to maintain the achieved level of allergendesensitization.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an OIT regimen10 for desensitizing a subject to an offending allergen in accordancewith an aspect of the present technology. Referring to block 12, the OITregimen 10 includes an initial escalation phase in which a subject isadministered a series of dosage levels within a clinical setting. Theinitial escalation phase 12 can be used to determine an initialdesensitization dosage level for the subject or to determine if the OITregimen is suitable for the patient. The OIT regimen 10 proceeds todecision block 14 where it is determined if the subject achieved asuitable escalation phase dosage level. For example, a medicalprofessional can determine if a subject was able to tolerate apredetermined dosage level without experiencing deleterious symptoms(e.g., moderate or severe allergic reaction symptoms). If the subjectdid not tolerate the predetermined dosage level, the OIT regimen 10 isterminated (block 15). If, however, the subject did successfullytolerate the predetermined dosage level, the OIT regimen 10 continues tothe build-up phase (block 16). During the build-up phase, the OITregimen 10 can include a series of up-dosing intervals or cycles wheresubjects are administered increasingly higher dosage levels onpredetermined intervals (e.g., every two weeks), while maintaining thenew dosage level with daily doses self-administered at home. Forexample, after completing a dose cycle, a patient can return to theclinical setting to receive a higher dose than that just completed. Theclinical professional can select, for example, the next higher dose andadminister the dose to the patient in the clinical setting. If thepatient tolerates the higher dose, then the patient may be provided witha folio or other package containing a cycle's worth (e.g., two weeks) ofthe dose level. In some embodiments, a subject may not tolerate the newdaily dosage level (e.g., experience allergic reaction symptoms in theclinic and/or at home) and daily dosage levels can be alteredaccordingly (e.g., daily dosage levels can be lowered to previouslytolerated dosage levels for a period of time before a further attempt atup-dosing).

The OIT regimen 10 further includes a maintenance phase (block 18).During the maintenance phase, the patient is administered a maintenancedose at home to maintain the achieved level of desensitization of theoffending allergen in the subject. The maintenance dose may be apredetermined dose or may be a patient-specific dose, such as a maximumtolerated dose. One of ordinary skill in the art of immunotherapy,including OIT, will recognize other OIT regimens that may be conductedusing various aspects of the present technology.

Throughout an OIT regimen, it is important to ensure that the correctdosage of allergen is administered to the subject, both in the clinicalsetting as well as outside of the clinical setting, for example forself-administered dosages. Any error in administration of the properdosage level to a subject during the course of an OIT regimen can havedangerous and even life-threatening results.

III. Oral Immunotherapy Unit Dose Dispensing Systems

Provided herein are oral immunotherapy (OIT) unit dose dispensingsystems that are useful for reducing medical/clinical staff dosingerrors in the clinic or doctor's office, patient errors outside thedoctor's office, and increasing overall patient compliance in oralimmunotherapy regimens. Specific details of several embodiments of thetechnology are described below with reference to FIGS. 2-11. Althoughmany of the embodiments are described below with respect to devices,systems, and methods for oral immunotherapy and delivery of therapeuticagents to patients for the treatment of peanut and other food allergy,other applications and other embodiments in addition to those describedherein are within the scope of the technology. Additionally, severalother embodiments of the technology can have different configurations,components, or procedures than those described herein. A person ofordinary skill in the art, therefore, will accordingly understand thatthe technology can have other embodiments with additional elements, orthe technology can have other embodiments without several of thefeatures shown and described below with reference to FIGS. 2-11.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a unit dose dispensing system 100configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.The system 100, for example, may be used to store, organize, identifyand/or select a proper dosage for a specific patient during OITadministration. In one embodiment, the system 100 provides an accurateand consistent containment structure that reduces a likelihood of errorwhen administering a unit dose to an OIT patient during treatment. Forexample, the system 100 includes a plurality of features to preventadministration of an incorrect and/or harmful dose of an offendingallergen OIT composition to a patient. The illustrated unit dosedispensing system 100 includes a housing 102 having a base portion 112with an internal cavity 114 that retains a plurality of dosagecontainers 120 a and 120 b. Each dosage container holds a plurality ofsingle dose packages 130 a and 130 b. The single dose packages 130 a and130 b each contain a single dose of a composition, such as the oralimmunotherapy composition. The single dose packages within a givendosage container contain identical dosages. For example, dosagecontainer 120 a contains a plurality of single dose packages 130 a witheach single dose package 130 a providing a first dose level (e.g., 3mg), and dosage container 120 b contains a plurality of single dosepackages 130 b with each single dose package 130 b providing a seconddose level (e.g., 6 mg), wherein the first dose level and the seconddose level are different. Further, the single dose packages are detachedfrom one another. Therefore, a user may retrieve a detached single dosepackage from a dosage container without needing to detach the singledose package from any other single dose package. During normal use, theunit dose dispensing system 100 comprising the housing 102, dosagecontainers 120 and single dose packages 130 are maintained at aphysician's office or medical clinic, and facilitates efficiency anddosage accuracy during in-office patient OIT treatment, including, butnot limited to, the build-up phase portion of OIT during which up-dosingof a patient occurs.

The housing 102 may accommodate any number of dosage containers 120,including at least 2 different dosage containers, at least 3 differentdosage containers, at least 4 different dosage containers, at least 5different dosage containers, at least 6 different dosage containers, atleast 10 different dosage containers, at least 20 different dosagecontainers, at least 50 different dosage containers, or at least 100different dosage containers. Generally, the housing 102 may accommodatebetween 3 and about 100 different dosage containers.

The housing 102 may include the base portion 112 to provide an opencontainment system in which the internal cavity 114 is exposed and/oraccessible such that a single dose package 130 providing a single dosewith a pre-determined dosage (e.g., 3 mg, 6 mg, 12 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80mg, 120 mg, 160 mg, 200 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, etc.) of oral immunotherapycomposition retained therein may be accessible at any time. In anotherembodiment, the housing 102 may include a lid portion (not shown) thatcan be sized to releasably cover the base portion 112, thereby providingclosed containment of system components retained within the internalcavity 114. For example, a lid portion (not shown) may be utilizedduring packaging and shipping and/or for storage of the system 100 whennot in use.

In some embodiments, the dosage containers 120 a and 120 b are detachedcontainers, which can be individually removed from the housing 102 ofthe system. If the number of single dose packages within a dosagecontainer is low or the dosage container is empty, the dosage containercan be removed from the system and replaced with a dosage containercontaining additional single dose packages. In some embodiments, thedosage containers 120 are configured to be refilled with single dosepackages 130.

As described further herein, the system 100 may include a number offeatures for accurately identifying and selecting a proper OIT dose fora specific patient prior to administration. For example, the system 100may incorporate dosage identification characteristics including, but notlimited to, color coding and/or variation (e.g., graduated shading,etc.), numeric coding, symbols, capsule orientation and configurationwithin single dose packages 130 a, etc. In additional embodiments,various aspects of the shape (e.g., rounded corners, 90° angled corners)and/or orientation of the dosage containers (e.g., 120 a) carryingvarying dosage levels within the housing 102 may be used to furtheruniquely characterize specific OIT dosage levels. Further embodimentsmay include unique sound signals when single dose packages are dispensed(e.g., removed) from a respective dosage containers. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that other sensory (e.g., visual, touch,audible, etc.) features can be used to uniquely characterize specificdosage levels within the system 100.

In some embodiments, the housing 102 may be a reusable box, constructedof cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or other suitable material,and configured to hold the plurality of dosage containers, preferably ofvarying dosage levels (e.g., a first dosage level, second dosage level,third dosage level, etc.). In certain embodiments, the housing 102 isconfigured to hold one or more dosage containers of each dosage level ofan OIT regimen. The internal cavity 114 of the housing 102 provided bythe base portion is configured to allow physical and/or visual access tothe dosage containers held within. In further embodiments, the internalcavity 114 is configured to contain the dosage containers 120 in one,two, three or more rows such that all dosage containers 120 arephysically and/or visually accessible within the base portion 112 whenthe housing 102 is in an open configuration (e.g., no lid portionenclosing the internal cavity 114).

In various embodiments, the dosage containers 120 a and 120 b may bereusable, recyclable or disposable and, in some embodiments, can beconstructed of cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal or other suitablematerial. Further, the dosage containers 120 a and 120 b are configuredto hold single dose packages 130 a and 130 b. In some embodiments, thedosage containers each hold between 1 and 50 single dose packagestherein. In certain embodiments, the dosage containers can each hold 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 or 20 single dose packages therein.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are front perspective views of a dosage container 120 inclosed (FIG. 3A) and open (FIG. 3B) configurations, respectively, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The dosagecontainers 120 can include a removable top portion 122, which may beopened to provide access to the contents of the dosage containers 120(e.g., the plurality of detached single dose packages containedtherein). In some embodiments, the removable top portion 122 isdelineated by perforated lines 124 in the dosage container 120 (FIG.3A). In other embodiments, however, the top portion 122 may not beremovable and the top portion can be opened and closed repeatedly asneeded to retrieve or store the detached single dose packages 130therein. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B together, the dosage container120 is configured to hold a plurality of detached single dose packages130 in an organized manner until dispensed, such as in an upright orstacked configuration. The detached single dose packages 130 areaccessible when the top portion 122 is removed and/or the dosagecontainer 120 is in the open configuration (FIG. 3B).

Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B together, the housing 102includes the base portion 112 having a lower outer surface (not shown)and a plurality of base side walls 116 having a base height H_(B). Insome embodiments, the base height H_(B) (FIG. 2) can be less than aheight HM of dosage container side walls 126 (FIGS. 3A-3B). In theseembodiments, the dosage containers 120 can be positioned within theinternal cavity 114 of the housing 102 such that an upper edge 128 ofthe dosage containers 120 are positioned above an upper edge 118 of thebase side walls 116. In this embodiment, portions of the module sidewalls 126 can include dose level identification information that isreadily visible above the side walls 116 of the housing 102 (FIG. 2). Inanother embodiment, not shown, the upper edge 128 of the dosagecontainers 120 can be relatively flush with an upper edge 118 of thebase side walls 116. In this embodiment, the housing 102 can bestackable with other materials, additional system modules and/or othersystem components. In other embodiments, the height H_(B) can be greaterthan the height HM.

In some embodiments, the single dose packages 130 are non-reusablecontainers designed to hold a quantity of oral immunotherapy compositionintended for administration as a single dose, and preferably to be usedpromptly after the detached single dose package 130 is opened. Thedetached single dose package 130 may comprise, among other options,blister pack, a foil packs, or a sachet. The oral immunotherapycomposition dose contained within the detached single dose package 130may be in the form of one or more capsules, tablets, or powder. Incertain embodiments the detached single dose package 130 is a blisterpack on which a designation of dosages, instructions and/or warnings isprinted on the bister back. In some embodiments, the blister pack cancontain capsules or tablets encased between two materials such asaluminum foil and polyvinyl chloride film such that the capsule(s) ortablet(s) can be pressed through the aluminum foil backing. In someembodiments, the blister pack can have peel-push backing and can bedesigned with child-resistant features. Oral immunotherapy compositiondoses can be administered in any suitable way. For example, capsules ortablets may be swallowed whole or caplets may be opened and the contentsmixed with food or drink. In some embodiments, a single dose package 130is a sachet and the oral immunotherapy composition is emptied from theopened sachet into food or drink.

The oral immunotherapy composition can comprise one or more food proteinallergens from a particular food source or sources. For example, theformulation may include peanut allergens, tree nut allergens, dairyallergens, egg allergens, seed allergens, soybean, wheat, shellfish andfish allergens, among other known food allergens. Such allergenformulations may be manufactured in a manner that deliversconsistent/repeatable proportions of the critical individual allergenssuch that protein content can be highly controlled. In a particularexample, the single dose package 130 may contain a dosage levelincluding, but not limited to, about 0.5 mg to about 100 mg, such asabout 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 10 mg, 12 mg, 15 mg,20 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 120 mg, 150 mg, 160 mg, 200 mg, 240mg, 250 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg, 700 mg, 800 mg, 900 mg, or1000 mg. The dosage amount of the oral immunotherapy composition refersto the amount of protein from a food associated with the food allergy tobe treated. In certain embodiments, the dosage level in an individualsingle dose package 130 can be provided in a single capsule or tablet,or in more than one capsule or tablet.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary dosage container 120of FIG. 3A along line A-A illustrating a single dose package 130 heldwithin the dosage container 120 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the single dosepackage 130 contains one or more capsules 401 comprising OIT compositionin a dosage amount according to the level indicated on the single dosepackage 130 via one or more identification characteristics (e.g., dosagelevel number 402, measurement of dosage level 403, etc.). In someembodiments, the single dose package contains one or more capsulescomprising an oral immunotherapy composition in a dosage amountaccording to an amount indicated on the single dose package. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the dosage container 120 comprises anorganizing feature such as a plurality of spaced apart side supports 404a and 404 b between which the lateral edges of single dose package 130can be secured in a substantially vertical orientation and in a row(e.g., one behind another). As shown in FIG. 4A, a pair of side supports404 a, 404 b maintain the single dose package 130 in an upright positionand spaced apart from adjacent single dose packages 130 (see, e.g., FIG.3B) to facilitate storage, dispensing and tracking of single dosepackages 130.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the dosage container 120 of FIG. 3Balong line A-A illustrating the single dose package 130 held within thedosage container 120 following removal of the top portion 122 (see,e.g., FIG. 4A). FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate various steps in thedispensing of the single dose package 130 of FIGS. 4A-4B from the dosagecontainer 120 in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology. In the illustrated example, remaining upper tabs 406 canfold upward allowing the single dose package 130 to be removed from thedosage container 120. In some embodiments, additional single dosepackages (not shown) having the same dosage level can be inserted in thedosage containers 120 between adjacent spaced apart side supports 404for the purposes of restocking the dosage container 120 for further usein the clinical setting, or the entire dosage container 120 can bereplaced with a new dosage container containing single dose packages ofthe same dose.

Referring back to FIG. 2, and in one embodiment, the unit dosedispensing system housing 102 holds a plurality of dosage containers 120providing a system 100 that includes single dose packages having aspectrum of dosage levels consistent with a specific OIT regimen. In aparticular example, a peanut OIT regimen may require a system 100comprising single dose modules that provide a 3 mg dose, a 6 mg dose, a12 mg dose, a 20 mg dose, a 40 mg dose, an 80 mg dose, a 120 mg dose, a160 mg dose, a 200 mg dose, a 240 mg dose and a 300 mg dose. In aspecific embodiment, the dose dispensing system housing 102 holds adosage container 120 for a 40 mg dosage level, wherein said dosagecontainer 120 contains 12 single dose packages 130 (e.g., blisterpacks), wherein each single dose package 130 has a single 40 mg dose,and wherein the single 40 mg dose is provided in two capsules.

As discussed above, the system 100 includes a plurality of dosageidentification characteristics for facilitating accurate and safeselection of a proper OIT dose for a patient prior to administration. Insome embodiments, the dosage containers 120 and/or the single dosepackages 130 in a system can be color-coded or shade-coded, with eachsingle dose package 130 having a different color (e.g., red, orange,yellow, green, blue, etc.) or different shading density than the othersingle dose packages 130 depending on the dosage level (e.g., dosagelevels 1-10 and Maintenance dosage level in FIG. 2) to facilitate visualdifferentiation in dosage level, and, in some embodiments, to permitquick restocking of dosage container 120. In some embodiments, colorcoding or shading can be graduated by dosage level. For example, colorchanges from one level to the next (in sequential order) can includelogical graduation of color shade within a particular color (e.g., lightcolor to dark color). In other embodiments, color changes from one levelto the next may correspond to other color schemes (e.g., order on colorwheels, order of visual spectrum of colors, etc.). In furtherembodiments, changes from one level to the next may correspond withcolor meaning associations. For example, the highest dosage levels maybe color coded in shades of oranges and reds (e.g., indicating cautionand warning), while the lowest dosage levels may be color coded inshades of greens and blues (e.g., indicating safety and stability). Instill further embodiments, color changes can include a combination ofgraduated changes of color shade and color changes. In some embodiments,dosage containers have a color associated with an immunotherapy type andshading-coding can be used to indicate dosage levels.

In certain embodiments, the single dose packages 130 comprise capsuleblister packs and the dosage container 120 is labeled with anillustration showing a unique capsule configuration for each dosagelevel to further prevent dosage container box restocking errors. Inaddition to color coding and providing unique capsule configurations foreach of the available dosage levels within the system 100, other dosageidentification characteristics can be used in addition to or instead ofcolor coding and capsule configuration. For example, dosageidentification characteristics may also include numeric coding (e.g.,level numbering 01, 02, 03, etc.), measurement of dosage level (e.g., 3mg, 6 mg, 12, mg, etc.), and/or other unique identifying symbols. Infurther embodiments, unique audible signals can be generated whenremoving individual single dose packages 130 from a dosage container 120to further assist a medical practitioner or attendant in confirming thatthe dosage level dispensed is accurate for the particular patient.

In some embodiments, capsules or tablets may be color coded or sizedaccording to an amount of oral immunotherapy composition. For example, 1mg capsules or tablets may be colored or sized differently than 2 mgcapsules or tablets. Single dose packages 130 may include severaldifferent sized and/or colored capsules or tablets. For example, a 3 mgsingle dose package may include one 1 mg red capsule and one 2 mg bluecapsule, and a 6 mg single dose package of the same system may includethree 2 mg blue capsules.

In further reference to FIG. 2, the housing 102 may be configured toretain the dosage containers 120 within the internal cavity 114 in amodular pattern designed to facilitate a medical practitioner to quicklyidentify a proper dosage level. For example, dosage containers may bepositioned within the housing in ascending order of dosage level, or inanother embodiment, descending order of dosage level. As further shownin FIG. 2, the unit dose dispensing system 100 may also be provided withone or more insertable dosage container position guides 150. A dosagecontainer position guide 150 can provide easily visible informationregarding the location of any individual dosage container 120 within thehousing. For example, the dosage container position guide 150 may beoriented vertically with respect to the lower outer surface (not shown)and extend vertically beyond the height HM of the dosage containers 120(FIG. 3A) to provide a label region 152. In some embodiments, the dosagecontainer position guide is printed on the removable top portion of thedosage container, and the removable top portion can be folded to displaythe dosage container position guide.

The label region 152 of the dosage container position guide 150 caninclude single dosage module identification, which may includecorresponding dosage identification characteristics (e.g., color-coding,numeric coding, units of measurement, symbols, etc.) to furtherfacilitate retrieval of single dosage package 130 from the proper dosagecontainer 120. Accordingly, in many embodiments, the dosage containerposition guide 150 can provide a guide for initial placement of eachdosage container 120 within the internal cavity 114 of the housing 102as well as provide a guide for retrieval and/or restocking of individualsingle dose packages 130 in a manner that reduces error.

In various embodiments, the dosage container position guide 150 can be areusable, removable card that is manually inserted into the housing 102in a vertical orientation. In other embodiments, the dosage containerposition guide 150 may be permanently or non-permanently attached to theadjacent module side walls 126 (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) via adhesive, clips,slots or other retaining feature.

In addition to the dosage container position guide(s) 150, the housing102 may provide additional dosage level and other identificationinformation. Referring back to FIG. 2, the housing 102, for example, mayinclude a label region 160, such as a region on a side wall 116 of thehousing 102. In one some embodiments, the label region 160 can provideproduct and/or company information 162. Additional information may alsobe included such as product reorder information and the like. The labelregion 160 may further include other information with regard to dosagelevel identification, such as in a visible single dosage configurationguide 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the single dosageconfiguration guide 164 provides illustrated identification of theorientation, size and color/texture of each capsule contained withineach dosage level. Such dosage level characteristics and cross-checkwith the single dosage configuration guide 164 can ensure additionalrisk reduction in administering a patient an improper OIT dosage duringuse.

In some embodiments, the label region 160 can be printed directly on aside wall 116 of the housing 102. In other embodiments, the label region160 with information 162 and guide(s) 164 can be separately attachedsuch as one or more labels adhered to the side walls 116 via adhesive orthe like.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may provide additional dosagedispensing modules and containers for facilitating administration ofproper OIT dosages during the build-up phase as well as other phases(e.g., initial escalation phase, maintenance phase, etc.). For example,FIGS. 5A-5C, 6A-6B, and 7A-7E illustrate a plurality of views of dosagefolios 500 for patient use outside the clinical setting. In a particularembodiment, a dosage folio 500 can be used to self-administer a dailydose at home during intervening intervals between up-dosing in theclinical setting during the build-up phase.

FIGS. 5A-5C are front perspective views of dosage folios 500 a, 500 b,500 c (generally referred to as “500”), respectively, for patient useoutside the clinical setting in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. In reference to FIGS. 5A-5C together, single dosefolios 500 can be folded packets providing identifying information 502,dosage capsules (not shown) and other instructions and daily note-takingportions (not shown). As illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C, a front portion 504of the folio 500 can include identifying information 502 that includes,but is not limited to, product and/or company information 506, dosagelevel identification 508 (e.g., numeric coding 509, measurement ofdosage level 510, unique dosage level color coding (not shown), etc.),and space 512 for pharmacy prescription label and/or patientidentification. The folios 500 a, 500 b and 500 c can be identified ascontaining daily self-administrable doses having different dosagelevels. For example, folio 500 a is identified by numeric code 509 a andmeasurement of dosage level 510 a, and folio 500 b is identified bynumeric code 509 b and measurement of dosage level 510 b. Other readilyvisible differences may include unique color coding (not shown). Invarious embodiments, the unique dosage level identificationcharacteristics present on the front portion 504 of the folio 500 cancorrespond to the unique dosage level identification characteristicspresent on the dosage containers 120 and single dose packages 130illustrated in FIGS. 2-4D.

FIG. 6A is a top view of a dosage folio 500 in a partially openconfiguration in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology. As illustrated, the dosage folio 500 can be partially openedby rotating the front portion 504 to reveal an internal portion 520 aand exposing folio surfaces supplying information, such as instructionsfor use 522 and patient log 524 to record information pertaining toself-administration of OIT dosages and reactions following suchadministration. For example, the log 524 can allow for patient-reportingof an onset of systemic symptoms (e.g., no reaction, mild, moderate,severe, anaphylaxis). In a particular example, the patient can record ifhe/she experienced symptoms such as flushing, intensive itching on theskin, sneezing, runny nose, sense of heat, gastro-intestinal discomfort,headache, agitation/anxiety, etc., as well as report what treatment forthe symptoms were used, if any. In some embodiments, the dosage folio500 can be retained and/or released from the closed configuration (FIGS.5A-5C) to the partially open configuration (FIG. 6A) by a restrainingfeature 126 (e.g., mating hook 127 a and loop tabs 127 b, clasp,adhesive, etc.).

FIG. 6B is a top view of the dosage folio 500 of FIG. 6A in a fully-openconfiguration in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology. As illustrated, the dosage folio 500 can be fully opened toprovide access to daily dosage units 530 retained therein. According tosome embodiments, each daily dosage unit 530 can comprise a plurality ofcapsules or tablets and each daily dosage unit can be independentlyopenable such that each daily dosage can be accessed without accessingthe other daily dosages. FIGS. 7A-7E are side views of a single dosefolio illustrating various steps in transitioning the dosage folio 500from a closed configuration (FIG. 7A) to a fully open configuration(FIG. 7E) in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.For example, FIG. 7B illustrates an intermediate step in opening thedosage folio 500 from the closed configuration (FIG. 7A) to a partialopen configuration (e.g., FIG. 6A) by rotating the front portion 504away from internal portions 520 a and 520 b. As shown in FIGS. 7C-7E, auser can horizontally separate the front portion 504 from internalportion 520 a exposing internal portion 520 b comprising a plurality ofdaily dosage units 530 and back portion 540 comprising a plurality ofdaily dosage units 530. When in use, the dosage folio can be folded andunfolded as illustrated in steps depicted in FIGS. 7A-7E for access andstorage of daily dosage units.

Referring back to FIG. 6B, daily dosage units 530 are accessible to thepatient when the dosage folio is in the fully open configuration. In theillustrated example, the OIT regimen sets forth patientself-administration of the tolerated daily dose outside the clinicsetting between day 2 and day 14 of a two-week interval betweenup-dosing of the patient during the build-up phase. In otherembodiments, the intervening interval can be longer or shorter and thedosage folio 500 may include more or fewer daily dosage units 530 toaccommodate a specific OIT regimen. For example, dosage folios mayinclude about 7 to about 35 daily dose units, i.e., one week to fiveweeks' worth of daily doses. In some embodiments, folios include fifteendosage units, which provides two weeks' worth of doses plus a couple ofextra doses. As illustrated, in some embodiments, the daily dosage units530 can be arranged in a grid-like pattern and a grid locationassociated with the first day may lack a daily dosage unit, since thedosage for the first day may have been administered at the doctor'soffice. The daily dosage units 530 provided in the dosage folio 500 canbe identical. Further provided to track and record patientself-administration, the folio may comprise date recording lines 532adjacent each daily dosage unit 530. The folio 500 may also includeextra daily dosage units 531 to be used as instructed/needed.

A plurality of dosage folios 500 may be retained within a separatemodule (not shown) for storage and retrieval of such folios to prescribeto patients. Such modules may be included in the housing 102 or may bestored in a separate housing container (not shown) and/or as part of akit for dispensing pharmaceutical products (e.g., relating to OITregimens).

The system 100 may also include a module for organizing, storing anddispensing dosages for use during the maintenance phase of an OITregimen. FIGS. 8A and 8B are front perspective views of a maintenancedosage container 820 in a closed configuration (FIG. 8A) and themaintenance dosage container 820 in an open configuration (FIG. 8B) inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. Referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B together, the maintenance dosage container 820 caninclude a plurality of maintenance dosage folios or sachets 830 eachcontaining maintenance dose to be self-administered daily to maintainallergen desensitization. The maintenance dose folios or sachets 830 canbe organized (e.g., such as in an upright or stacked configuration)and/or retained in spaced-apart fashion as described above with respectto the dosage containers 120 (FIGS. 3A-4D).

In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the maintenancedosage container 820 can be positioned within the system housing 102;however, in other embodiments, the maintenance dosage container 820 is astand-alone dosage module within the system 100 and/or as a component ofa kit for dispensing pharmaceutical products (e.g., relating to OITregimens).

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a unit dose dispensing system 900in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. Theunit dose dispensing system 900 includes many of the same features asthe system 100 shown in FIG. 2. For example, the system 900 includes thehousing 102 for organizing and retaining a plurality of single dosagecontainers 120 and single dose packages 130 in a manner that is safe andeffective for administration of a variety of OIT dosage levels (e.g.,during a build-up phase of an OIT regimen). However, the system 900 canalso include a plurality of modules 920 suitable to administer a varietyof OIT dosage programs for additional phases and aspects of an OITregimen. For example, the system 900 can include modules 920 comprisingdosage units for the initial escalation phase of an OIT regimen in amanner that is safe and effective for administration.

Referring to FIG. 9, the system 900 may include a container fororganizing, storing and dispensing dosages for use during the initialescalation phase of an OIT regimen. FIGS. 10A and 10B are frontperspective views of an initial escalation dosage module 1020 and aninitial escalation folio 1030 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology. Referring to FIG. 10B, and in one embodiment, theinitial escalation folio 1030 can be a single use (non-reusable) bi-foldfolio made of cardstock or other material. A front portion 1032 of theinitial escalation folio 1030 can include identifying information 1034that includes, but is not limited to, product and/or company information1036 and space 838 for pharmacy prescription label and/or patientidentification. As shown in FIG. 10A, a plurality of initial escalationfolios 1030 can be retained within the initial escalation dosage module1020. In some embodiments, the initial escalation dosage module 1020 canbe positioned within the system housing 102; however, in otherembodiments, the initial escalation dosage module 1020 can be astand-alone dosage module within the system 900 and/or as a component ofa kit for dispensing pharmaceutical products (e.g., relating to OITregimens).

FIG. 10C is a front view of the initial escalation folio 1030 of FIG.10B in an open configuration and in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. As illustrated, and in the open configuration, theinitial escalation folio 1030 comprises content information 1040 on afirst side 1060 of an internal portion 1031 of the folio 1030. Thecontent information 1040 may include, for example, dose preparationinstructions 1042, dosage administration instructions 1044, storageinstructions 1046, ingredients 1048 and company/product identificationinformation 1050 among other information. A second side 1062 of theinternal portion 1031 comprises a series of dose units 1070 from a firstlowest dose 1072 to a maximum dose 1074 that are releasably retainedwithin the folio material. For example, the dose units 1070 may beretained within individual foil packs attached to or integrated with thesecond side 1062 of the folio 1030. During an initial escalation phase,a patient can be prescribed an initial escalation folio 1030 whereineach of the dose units 1070 are administered to the patient within aclinical setting in pre-determined or physician-determined timeintervals (e.g., according to an OIT regimen). For example, during thecourse of an initial escalation phase, the patient can be administeredthe first lowest dose 1074 up to the maximum dose 1074 as tolerated.

IV. Selected Examples of Treatment Procedures for Providing an OITTherapeutic Regimen Using Dose Dispensing Systems

Disclosed herein are methods and treatment procedures for providing anOIT therapeutic regimen to a patient in a clinical setting using thedose dispensing system. In particular, FIG. 11 is a block diagramillustrating a method 1100 of providing an OIT regimen to a patient in aclinical setting in accordance with an aspect of the present technology.The method 1100 can optionally include selecting a suitable candidatepatient having an identified food allergy for providing OIT (block1102). For example, a suitable patient can include a patient having hadone or more allergic reactions to the offending food allergen and forwhich was confirmed by conventional means (e.g., prick test, blood test,oral food challenge, etc.) by an attending physician.

The method 1100 can include accessing a dose dispensing system toretrieve an initial escalation folio 1030 from an initial escalationmodule 1020 (block 1104) and begin the initial escalation phase of anOIT regimen by administering the first lowest dose 1072 from the initialescalation folio 1030 to the patient (block 1106). The method 1100 canalso include administering further dose units 1070 from the initialescalation folio 1030 to the patient (block 1108) in a sequential manneruntil the patient demonstrates tolerance of the maximum dose 1074 ordemonstrates intolerance of one of the prior dose units 1070, whichevercomes first. The method 1100 can further include accessing the dosedispensing system to retrieve a dosage folio to provide the patient forhome administration of daily unit doses at the highest dosage leveltolerated by the patient (e.g., a first dosage level) from the initialescalation folio 1030 (block 1110). For example, when accessing the dosedispensing system, a clinician may cross-check dosage identifyingcharacteristics (e.g., color-coding, numeric code, dosage levelmeasurement, etc.) present on the dosage folio to ensure that the dosagefolio contains daily unit doses having the patient-specific dosagelevel.

Following a predetermined time interval wherein the patientself-administers daily unit doses at the first dosage level, the method1100 includes accessing the dose dispensing system to retrieve a singledose package from a dosage container (block 1112) and administering theOIT formulation provided therein to the patient (block 1114). In someembodiments, the single dose packaging includes a second dosage levelthat is one level higher than the first dosage level (e.g., the dosagelevel previously tolerated by the patient). In other embodiments, thesingle dose container includes an oral immunotherapy composition at thefirst dosage level, or in other embodiments, at a reduced dosage leveldepending on the patient's toleration of the allergen-containingformulation. When accessing the dose dispensing system, the cliniciancan cross-check dosage identifying characteristics (e.g., color-coding,numeric code, dosage level measurement, dosage/capsule configuration andorientation, etc.) present on the dosage container as well as the singledose package to ensure that the single dose package contains a unit dosehaving the patient-specific dosage level.

In optional decision block 1116, an evaluation of the patient's currentdose level is evaluated. In some embodiments, no evaluation of thepatient's current dose level is evaluated, and the patient continues toreceive the maintenance dosage. When the patient continues to amaintenance phase of the OIT regimen, the dose dispensing system isaccessed to retrieve a maintenance dose folio from the maintenancedosage container to provide the patient for home administration of dailymaintenance doses (block 1118). For example, when accessing the dosedispensing system, a clinician may cross-check dosage identifyingcharacteristics (e.g., color-coding, numeric code, dosage levelmeasurement, dosage/capsule configuration and orientation, etc.) presenton the maintenance dosage container and/or the maintenance dose folio toensure that the folio contains daily unit doses having thepatient-specific maintenance dosage level. If in optional decision block1116, it is determined that the patient has not reached his/her maximumdesensitizing dose level, the patient can continue the build-up phase(e.g., continue increasing dosage levels for a patient) by going back toblock 1110.

Optionally, the method 1100 may continue by administering the patient anoral food challenge (block 1120) to determine if the level ofdesensitization to the offending allergen was achieved via the OITregimen.

The detailed descriptions of embodiments of the technology are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise formdisclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, thetechnology are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thetechnology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Forexample, while steps are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform steps in a different order. The variousembodiments described herein may also be combined to provide furtherembodiments. All references cited herein are incorporated by referenceas if fully set forth herein.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of theembodiments of the technology. For example, while various embodiments ofthe dose dispensing system is described for use for administration ofpharmaceutical formulations pertaining to oral immunotherapy, one orordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dose dispensing systemdescribed herein may also be used to dispense pharmaceuticalformulations and other compounds associated with other forms oftreatment and conditions. Where the context permits, singular or pluralterms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following embodiments are exemplary and should not be considered tolimit the claimed invention.

Embodiment 1. A system for administering an oral immunotherapy regimento a patient, comprising:

a plurality of dosage containers comprising a plurality of detachedsingle dose packages comprising the same dosage of an oral immunotherapycomposition,

wherein the single dose packages in different dosage containers comprisedifferent dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition, and

wherein the dosage containers comprises a dosage identifier thatassociates the dosage container with the dosage of oral immunotherapycomposition contained by the single dose packages contained in thedosage container; and

a housing having an internal cavity that retains the plurality of dosagecontainers.

Embodiment 2. The system of embodiment 1, wherein the single dosepackages comprise the dosage identifier.

Embodiment 3. The system of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the dosageidentifier is a dosage level of the oral immunotherapy composition.

Embodiment 4. The system of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein thedosage identifier comprises color-coding or shade-coding, and whereineach dosage is associated with a different color or shading.

Embodiment 5. The system of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein thedosage identifier comprises numeric coding, and wherein the numericcoding indicates an order in which the dosage levels increase ordecrease.

Embodiment 6. The system of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein thedosage identifier comprises the dosage.

Embodiment 7. The system of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the oralimmunotherapy composition is a powder.

Embodiment 8. The system of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein theplurality of single dose packages comprise one or more capsules ortablets comprising the oral immunotherapy composition.

Embodiment 9. The system of embodiment 8, wherein the one or morecapsules or tablets are visible without opening the single does package.

Embodiment 10. The system of embodiment 9, wherein the one or morecapsules or tablets are arranged in a configuration associated with thedosage identifier for the dosage container.

Embodiment 11. The system of embodiment 10, wherein the system furthercomprises a dosage configuration guide that associates the configurationto the dosage identifier.

Embodiment 12. The system of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein dosagecontainers comprise a plurality of supports spaced apart along a lengthof an inner wall of the dosage container, and wherein the dosagecontainers are configured to hold a single dose package in asubstantially vertical orientation between the supports.

Embodiment 13. The system of any one of embodiments 1-12, furthercomprising an initial escalation module containing a plurality ofinitial escalation folios comprising a plurality of dose units inincreasing dosage levels.

Embodiment 14. The system of any one of embodiments 1-13, furthercomprising a maintenance dosage container containing a plurality ofmaintenance dose units having the same dosage of the oral immunotherapycomposition.

Embodiment 15. The system of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein thedosage containers are configured to be refilled with single dosepackages.

Embodiment 16. The system of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein eachdosage container is configured to be individually removed from thehousing and replaced with a new dosage container.

Embodiment 17. The system of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein thesystem comprises 3, 4, 5, or 6 or more different dosage containers.

Embodiment 18. The system of any one of embodiments 1-17, wherein thesystem comprises between 3 and about 100 different dosage containers.

Embodiment 19. The system of any one of embodiments 1-18, wherein theoral immunotherapy composition comprises a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy,or shellfish composition.

Embodiment 20. The system of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein thesystem further comprises an initial escalation folio comprising a seriesof escalating dose units comprising the oral immunotherapy composition.

Embodiment 21. The system of embodiment 20, wherein the series of doseunits comprises at least one dose unit with a dosage of the oralimmunotherapy composition that is lower than the lowest dosage of thesingle dose packages in any of the dosage containers.

Embodiment 22. The system of embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the escalatingdose units are arranged in different configurations to identifydifferent dosages.

Embodiment 23. The system of any one of embodiments 20-22, wherein theinitial escalation folio is contained within the housing.

Embodiment 24. The system of embodiment 23, wherein the housing isconfigured to contain a plurality of initial escalation folios in acompartment of the housing.

Embodiment 25. The system of any one of embodiments 1-24, furthercomprising a dosage folio comprising:

a dosage identifier that associates the dosage folio to a dosagecontainer within the plurality of dosage containers, and

a plurality of daily dose units comprising the oral immunotherapycomposition associated with the dosage identifier.

Embodiment 26. The system of embodiment 25, wherein the dosage foliocomprises a patient log comprising a space identified for recording adate of administration of a daily dose unit.

Embodiment 27. The system of embodiment 25 or 26, wherein the dosagefolio comprises a patient log comprising a space identified forrecording a reactive symptom following ingestion of the daily dose unit.

Embodiment 28. The system of any one of embodiments 25-27, wherein thesystem comprises a plurality of dosage folios comprising differentdosage identifiers, wherein the dosage folios comprise a plurality ofdaily dose units that correspond with the dosage identifier of thedosage folio.

Embodiment 29. A dosage folio comprising:

a plurality of daily dose units comprising an oral immunotherapycomposition, wherein each daily dose unit is independently openable andcomprises a plurality of capsules or tablets; and

a dosage identifier associated with the dosage of the daily dose units.

Embodiment 30. The dosage folio of embodiment 29, further comprising apatient log, wherein the patient log comprises a space identified forrecording a date of administration of a daily dose unit.

Embodiment 31. The dosage folio of embodiment 30, wherein the patientlog comprising a space identified for recording a reactive symptomsfollowing ingestion of the daily dose unit.

Embodiment 32. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-31, furthercomprising pictorial instructions for administering the oralimmunotherapy composition.

Embodiment 33. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-32, whereinthe dosage identifier is a dosage level of the oral immunotherapycomposition.

Embodiment 34. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-33, whereinthe dosage identifier comprises a color code or a shade code.

Embodiment 35. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-34, whereinthe dosage identifier comprises a numeric code.

Embodiment 36. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-35, whereinthe dosage identifier comprises the dosage of the daily dose units.

Embodiment 37. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-36, whereinthe oral immunotherapy composition is a powder.

Embodiment 38. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-37, whereinthe daily dose units are arranged in a grid pattern and a grid patternlocation associated with a first day lacks a daily dose unit.

Embodiment 39. The dosage folio of embodiment 29-38, wherein thecapsules or tablets are arranged in a configuration associated with thedosage identifier for the folio.

Embodiment 40. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-39, whereinthe oral immunotherapy composition comprises a peanut, tree nut, egg,dairy, or shellfish composition.

Embodiment 41. The dosage folio of any one of embodiments 29-40, whereinthe dosage folio comprises about 7 to about 35 daily dose units.

Embodiment 42. A method of dispensing a selected dosage of an oralimmunotherapy composition to a patient, comprising:

identifying a dosage container associated with a selected dosage of theoral immunotherapy composition using a dosage identifier on the dosagecontainer, wherein the dosage container is identified from a pluralityof different dosage containers comprising different dosage identifiersassociated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition;

removing a single dose package comprising the selected amount of theoral immunotherapy composition from the identified dosage container; and

dispensing the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition tothe patient.

Embodiment 43. A method of retrieving a single dose package comprising aselected dosage of an oral immunotherapy composition, comprising:

identifying a dosage container associated with the selected dosage ofthe oral immunotherapy composition using a dosage identifier on thedosage container, wherein the dosage container is identified from aplurality of different dosage containers comprising different dosageidentifiers associated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapycomposition; and

removing the single dose package comprising the selected amount of theoral immunotherapy composition from the identified dosage container.

Embodiment 44. A method of retrieving a single dose package comprising aselected dosage of an oral immunotherapy composition, comprising:

removing the single dose package comprising the selected amount of theoral immunotherapy composition from an identified dosage container,wherein the identified dosage container is identified using a dosageidentifier on the dosage container that is associated with the selecteddosage, and wherein the dosage container is identified from a pluralityof different dosage containers comprising different dosage identifiersassociated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition.

Embodiment 45. A method of dispensing a selected dosage of an oralimmunotherapy composition to a patient, comprising:

removing the single dose package comprising the selected amount of theoral immunotherapy composition from an identified dosage container,wherein the identified dosage container is identified using a dosageidentifier on the dosage container that is associated with the selecteddosage, and wherein the dosage container is identified from a pluralityof different dosage containers comprising different dosage identifiersassociated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition;and

dispensing the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition tothe patient.

Embodiment 46. A method of treating an allergy in a patient, comprising:

identifying a dosage container associated with a selected dosage of anoral immunotherapy composition using a dosage identifier on the dosagecontainer, wherein the dosage container is identified from a pluralityof different dosage containers comprising different dosage identifiersassociated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition;

removing a single dose package comprising the selected amount of theoral immunotherapy composition from the identified dosage container; and

administering the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy compositionto the patient.

Embodiment 47. A method of treating an allergy in a patient, comprising:

removing a single dose package comprising a selected amount of the oralimmunotherapy composition from an identified dosage container, whereinthe identified dosage container is identified using a dosage identifieron the dosage container that is associated with the selected dosage, andwherein the dosage container is identified from a plurality of differentdosage containers comprising different dosage identifiers associatedwith different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition; and

administering the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy compositionto the patient.

Embodiment 48. The method of embodiment 46 or 47, wherein the allergy isa food allergy.

Embodiment 49. The method of any one of embodiments 42-48, wherein theplurality of dosage containers is contained within a housing.

Embodiment 50. The method of any one of embodiments 42-49, wherein theoral immunotherapy composition comprises a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy,or shellfish composition.

Embodiment 51. The method of any one of embodiments 42-50, wherein themethod is performed using the system of any one of embodiments 1-28.

Embodiment 52. The method of any one of embodiments 42-51, wherein themethod is performed in a medical clinic.

Embodiment 53. The method of any one of embodiments 42-52, furthercomprising restocking the identified dosage container with single dosepackages comprising an oral immunotherapy composition in the same amountas the removed single dose package.

Embodiment 54. The method of any one of embodiments 42-53, furthercomprising replacing the identified dosage container with a new dosagecontainer comprising the same dosage identification characteristic,wherein the new dosage container comprises a plurality of single dosepackages.

Embodiment 55. The method of any one of embodiments 42-54, wherein thedosage identifier comprises a color code, a shade code, or a number codeassociated with the selected dosage, and wherein identifying the dosagecontainer comprises identifying the dosage container having the colorcode, the shade code, or the number code associated with the selecteddosage.

Embodiment 56. The method of any one of embodiments 42-55, whereinidentifying the dosage container comprises using a dosage containerposition guide comprising the dosage identifier.

Embodiment 57. The method of any one of embodiments 42-56, furthercomprising selecting the dosage of oral immunotherapy for the patient.

Embodiment 58. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the dosage of oralimmunotherapy is selected using a dosage identifier on a dosage foliopreviously provided to the patient.

Embodiment 59. The method of embodiment 57 or 58, wherein the dosage oforal immunotherapy is selected based on a tolerability of a previouslyadministered dose by the patient.

Embodiment 60. The method of any one of embodiments 42-59, furthercomprising dispensing a series of escalating dose units comprising theoral immunotherapy composition.

Embodiment 61. The method of embodiment 60, comprising administering theseries of escalating dose units to the patient.

Embodiment 62. The method of embodiment 60 or 61, comprising monitoringthe patient for a period of time for a reactive symptom followingingestion of a first escalating dose unit prior to dispensing oradministering a second escalating dose unit.

Embodiment 63. The method of any one of embodiments 60-62, comprisingmonitoring the patient for a period of time for a reactive symptomfollowing ingestion of each escalating dose unit.

Embodiment 64. The method of embodiment 62 or 63, wherein the dosage oforal immunotherapy is selected based on a dosage of the escalating doseunit ingested prior to detection of a reactive symptom.

Embodiment 65. The method of any one of embodiments 42-64, comprisingdispensing a dosage folio to the patient for daily self-administration,wherein the dosage folio comprises a plurality of daily dose unitscomprising the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition.

Embodiment 66. The method of any one of embodiments 42 and 45-64,further comprising monitoring the patient for a period of time for areactive symptom following dispensing or administering the selecteddosage of the oral immunotherapy composition to the patient.

Embodiment 67. The method of any one of embodiments 42-66, wherein thepatient is a human.

Embodiment 68. The method of any one of embodiments 46-66, whereinadministering the selected dosage comprises mixing the oralimmunotherapy composition with food.

Embodiment 69. The method of embodiment 68, wherein one or more capsulesor tablets containing the oral immunotherapy composition are openedprior to mixing the oral immunotherapy composition with food.

EXAMPLE

A subject suffering from a peanut allergy is selected for OIT treatment.During an initial escalation phase, a clinician retrieves an initialescalation folio from a peanut OIT dose dispensing system and thepatient is administered escalating doses of 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.5 mg, 3mg, and 6 mg in 30-minute intervals on day 1 of the treatment regimen.The patient is then provided a dosage folio containing a selected dose(e.g., 3.0 mg) on days 2-14 of the treatment regimen. Next, the patientis administered single doses of 6.0 mg, 12 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg, 120mg, 160 mg, 200 mg, 240 mg, and 300 mg of peanut formulation from unitdose containers retrieved from single dosage modules contained withinthe peanut OIT dose dispensing system, and is provided correspondingdosage levels in single dose folios for self-administering daily unitdoses in two-week intervals. The patient is then provided a maintenancedose folio containing a daily supply of 300 mg of peanut formulation tomaintain peanut desensitization.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for administering an oral immunotherapyregimen to a patient, comprising: a plurality of dosage containerscomprising a plurality of detached single dose packages comprising thesame dosage of an oral immunotherapy composition, wherein the singledose packages in different dosage containers comprise different dosagesof the oral immunotherapy composition, and wherein the dosage containerscomprises a dosage identifier that associates the dosage container withthe dosage of oral immunotherapy composition contained by the singledose packages contained in the dosage container; and a housing having aninternal cavity that retains the plurality of dosage containers.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the single dose packages comprise the dosageidentifier.
 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dosage identifieris a dosage level of the oral immunotherapy composition.
 4. The systemof any one of claims 1-3, wherein the dosage identifier comprisescolor-coding or shade-coding, and wherein each dosage is associated witha different color or shading.
 5. The system of any one of claims 1-4,wherein the dosage identifier comprises numeric coding, and wherein thenumeric coding indicates an order in which the dosage levels increase ordecrease.
 6. The system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the dosageidentifier comprises the dosage.
 7. The system of any one of claims 1-6,wherein the oral immunotherapy composition is a powder.
 8. The system ofany one of claims 1-7, wherein the plurality of single dose packagescomprise one or more capsules or tablets comprising the oralimmunotherapy composition.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one ormore capsules or tablets are visible without opening the single doespackage.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more capsules ortablets are arranged in a configuration associated with the dosageidentifier for the dosage container.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinthe system further comprises a dosage configuration guide thatassociates the configuration to the dosage identifier.
 12. The system ofany one of claims 1-11, wherein dosage containers comprise a pluralityof supports spaced apart along a length of an inner wall of the dosagecontainer, and wherein the dosage containers are configured to hold asingle dose package in a substantially vertical orientation between thesupports.
 13. The system of any one of claims 1-12, further comprisingan initial escalation module containing a plurality of initialescalation folios comprising a plurality of dose units in increasingdosage levels.
 14. The system of any one of claims 1-13, furthercomprising a maintenance dosage container containing a plurality ofmaintenance dose units having the same dosage of the oral immunotherapycomposition.
 15. The system of any one of claims 1-14, wherein thedosage containers are configured to be refilled with single dosepackages.
 16. The system of any one of claims 1-14, wherein each dosagecontainer is configured to be individually removed from the housing andreplaced with a new dosage container.
 17. The system of any one ofclaims 1-16, wherein the system comprises 3, 4, 5, or 6 or moredifferent dosage containers.
 18. The system of any one of claims 1-17,wherein the system comprises between 3 and about 100 different dosagecontainers.
 19. The system of any one of claims 1-18, wherein the oralimmunotherapy composition comprises a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy, orshellfish composition.
 20. The system of any one of claims 1-19, whereinthe system further comprises an initial escalation folio comprising aseries of escalating dose units comprising the oral immunotherapycomposition.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the series of doseunits comprises at least one dose unit with a dosage of the oralimmunotherapy composition that is lower than the lowest dosage of thesingle dose packages in any of the dosage containers.
 22. The system ofclaim 20 or 21, wherein the escalating dose units are arranged indifferent configurations to identify different dosages.
 23. The systemof any one of claims 20-22, wherein the initial escalation folio iscontained within the housing.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein thehousing is configured to contain a plurality of initial escalationfolios in a compartment of the housing.
 25. The system of any one ofclaims 1-24, further comprising a dosage folio comprising: a dosageidentifier that associates the dosage folio to a dosage container withinthe plurality of dosage containers, and a plurality of daily dose unitscomprising the oral immunotherapy composition associated with the dosageidentifier.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the dosage foliocomprises a patient log comprising a space identified for recording adate of administration of a daily dose unit.
 27. The system of claim 25or 26, wherein the dosage folio comprises a patient log comprising aspace identified for recording a reactive symptom following ingestion ofthe daily dose unit.
 28. The system of any one of claims 25-27, whereinthe system comprises a plurality of dosage folios comprising differentdosage identifiers, wherein the dosage folios comprise a plurality ofdaily dose units that correspond with the dosage identifier of thedosage folio.
 29. A dosage folio comprising: a plurality of daily doseunits comprising an oral immunotherapy composition, wherein each dailydose unit is independently openable and comprises a plurality ofcapsules or tablets; and a dosage identifier associated with the dosageof the daily dose units.
 30. The dosage folio of claim 29, furthercomprising a patient log, wherein the patient log comprises a spaceidentified for recording a date of administration of a daily dose unit.31. The dosage folio of claim 30, wherein the patient log comprising aspace identified for recording a reactive symptoms following ingestionof the daily dose unit.
 32. The dosage folio of any one of claims 29-31,further comprising pictorial instructions for administering the oralimmunotherapy composition.
 33. The dosage folio of any one of claims29-32, wherein the dosage identifier is a dosage level of the oralimmunotherapy composition.
 34. The dosage folio of any one of claims29-33, wherein the dosage identifier comprises a color code or a shadecode.
 35. The dosage folio of any one of claims 29-34, wherein thedosage identifier comprises a numeric code.
 36. The dosage folio of anyone of claims 29-35, wherein the dosage identifier comprises the dosageof the daily dose units.
 37. The dosage folio of any one of claims29-36, wherein the oral immunotherapy composition is a powder.
 38. Thedosage folio of any one of claims 29-37, wherein the daily dose unitsare arranged in a grid pattern and a grid pattern location associatedwith a first day lacks a daily dose unit.
 39. The dosage folio of claim29-38, wherein the capsules or tablets are arranged in a configurationassociated with the dosage identifier for the folio.
 40. The dosagefolio of any one of claims 29-39, wherein the oral immunotherapycomposition comprises a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy, or shellfishcomposition.
 41. The dosage folio of any one of claims 29-40, whereinthe dosage folio comprises about 7 to about 35 daily dose units.
 42. Amethod of dispensing a selected dosage of an oral immunotherapycomposition to a patient, comprising: identifying a dosage containerassociated with a selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy compositionusing a dosage identifier on the dosage container, wherein the dosagecontainer is identified from a plurality of different dosage containerscomprising different dosage identifiers associated with differentdosages of the oral immunotherapy composition; removing a single dosepackage comprising the selected amount of the oral immunotherapycomposition from the identified dosage container; and dispensing theselected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition to the patient.43. A method of retrieving a single dose package comprising a selecteddosage of an oral immunotherapy composition, comprising: identifying adosage container associated with the selected dosage of the oralimmunotherapy composition using a dosage identifier on the dosagecontainer, wherein the dosage container is identified from a pluralityof different dosage containers comprising different dosage identifiersassociated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition;and removing the single dose package comprising the selected amount ofthe oral immunotherapy composition from the identified dosage container.44. A method of retrieving a single dose package comprising a selecteddosage of an oral immunotherapy composition, comprising: removing thesingle dose package comprising the selected amount of the oralimmunotherapy composition from an identified dosage container, whereinthe identified dosage container is identified using a dosage identifieron the dosage container that is associated with the selected dosage, andwherein the dosage container is identified from a plurality of differentdosage containers comprising different dosage identifiers associatedwith different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition.
 45. Amethod of dispensing a selected dosage of an oral immunotherapycomposition to a patient, comprising: removing the single dose packagecomprising the selected amount of the oral immunotherapy compositionfrom an identified dosage container, wherein the identified dosagecontainer is identified using a dosage identifier on the dosagecontainer that is associated with the selected dosage, and wherein thedosage container is identified from a plurality of different dosagecontainers comprising different dosage identifiers associated withdifferent dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition; and dispensingthe selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition to thepatient.
 46. A method of treating an allergy in a patient, comprising:identifying a dosage container associated with a selected dosage of anoral immunotherapy composition using a dosage identifier on the dosagecontainer, wherein the dosage container is identified from a pluralityof different dosage containers comprising different dosage identifiersassociated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapy composition;removing a single dose package comprising the selected amount of theoral immunotherapy composition from the identified dosage container; andadministering the selected dosage of the oral immunotherapy compositionto the patient.
 47. A method of treating an allergy in a patient,comprising: removing a single dose package comprising a selected amountof the oral immunotherapy composition from an identified dosagecontainer, wherein the identified dosage container is identified using adosage identifier on the dosage container that is associated with theselected dosage, and wherein the dosage container is identified from aplurality of different dosage containers comprising different dosageidentifiers associated with different dosages of the oral immunotherapycomposition; and administering the selected dosage of the oralimmunotherapy composition to the patient.
 48. The method of claim 46 or47, wherein the allergy is a food allergy.
 49. The method of any one ofclaims 42-48, wherein the plurality of dosage containers is containedwithin a housing.
 50. The method of any one of claims 42-49, wherein theoral immunotherapy composition comprises a peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy,or shellfish composition.
 51. The method of any one of claims 42-50,wherein the method is performed using the system of any one of claims1-28.
 52. The method of any one of claims 42-51, wherein the method isperformed in a medical clinic.
 53. The method of any one of claims42-52, further comprising restocking the identified dosage containerwith single dose packages comprising an oral immunotherapy compositionin the same amount as the removed single dose package.
 54. The method ofany one of claims 42-53, further comprising replacing the identifieddosage container with a new dosage container comprising the same dosageidentification characteristic, wherein the new dosage containercomprises a plurality of single dose packages.
 55. The method of any oneof claims 42-54, wherein the dosage identifier comprises a color code, ashade code, or a number code associated with the selected dosage, andwherein identifying the dosage container comprises identifying thedosage container having the color code, the shade code, or the numbercode associated with the selected dosage.
 56. The method of any one ofclaims 42-55, wherein identifying the dosage container comprises using adosage container position guide comprising the dosage identifier. 57.The method of any one of claims 42-56, further comprising selecting thedosage of oral immunotherapy for the patient.
 58. The method of claim57, wherein the dosage of oral immunotherapy is selected using a dosageidentifier on a dosage folio previously provided to the patient.
 59. Themethod of claim 57 or 58, wherein the dosage of oral immunotherapy isselected based on a tolerability of a previously administered dose bythe patient.
 60. The method of any one of claims 42-59, furthercomprising dispensing a series of escalating dose units comprising theoral immunotherapy composition.
 61. The method of claim 60, comprisingadministering the series of escalating dose units to the patient. 62.The method of claim 60 or 61, comprising monitoring the patient for aperiod of time for a reactive symptom following ingestion of a firstescalating dose unit prior to dispensing or administering a secondescalating dose unit.
 63. The method of any one of claims 60-62,comprising monitoring the patient for a period of time for a reactivesymptom following ingestion of each escalating dose unit.
 64. The methodof claim 62 or 63, wherein the dosage of oral immunotherapy is selectedbased on a dosage of the escalating dose unit ingested prior todetection of a reactive symptom.
 65. The method of any one of claims42-64, comprising dispensing a dosage folio to the patient for dailyself-administration, wherein the dosage folio comprises a plurality ofdaily dose units comprising the selected dosage of the oralimmunotherapy composition.
 66. The method of any one of claims 42 and45-64, further comprising monitoring the patient for a period of timefor a reactive symptom following dispensing or administering theselected dosage of the oral immunotherapy composition to the patient.67. The method of any one of claims 42-66, wherein the patient is ahuman.
 68. The method of any one of claims 46-66, wherein administeringthe selected dosage comprises mixing the oral immunotherapy compositionwith food.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein one or more capsules ortablets containing the oral immunotherapy composition are opened priorto mixing the oral immunotherapy composition with food.